Insecticide and fungicide mixture



\ Patented Oct. 6, 1931 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KARL H. FULTON AND MARCUS T. INN AN, J'Ih, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AS- SIGNORS TO CLARENCE IP. IBY'RNES, TRUSTEE, OF SEW'ICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE MIXTURE No Drawing.

Our invention relates to mixtures employed as insecticides and fungicides and is designed to improve such mixtures or compounds by the use therein of a partial oxidation product in the range from alcohols to organic acids, Whether the latter is in emulsion form or not. These intermediate oxidation products when mixed with well-known fungicides and insecticides perform two,imm portant functions in connection therewith. These functions are to greatly improve the spreading quality or power of the mixtures and also to increase and add to their toxic properties toward insect pests.

Certain processes for the partial oxidation ofaliphatic and naphthenic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum fractions, shale oil, etc., produce a product containing a material proportion of liquid partially oxidized hydroaa carbons of the aliphatic type in the range from alcohols to organic acids. One of these processes is that set forth in United States Patent No. 1,697,653 of J. H. James granted January 1, 1929. We are aware that the product of such a process or a portion thereof,

preferably in emulsion form,- has been proposed for use as an insecticide or fungicide, this being disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,7 64,7 92 of JH. James, granted June 17, 1930. In such case, the condensed product of main partial oxidation process is preferably distilled and the fraction above 250 C. treated with a base to substantially neutralize the ,free acids; a weak base such as sodium silicate being preferred. The oilis heated with so and water to gi'de a stock solution which wi l emulsify simply by pouring into water. Also certain portions of the main product may be employed as, for example, those obtained by alcohol extraction.

l Ve have discovered that such products as above referred to not only have their own toxic power, making them valuable, but that they also have additional important functions when mixed with other insecticides.

The most important additional function is thatof causing better spreading of the mixture, especially when in emulsion fo'rm.,

Present insecticide and fungicide compounds tend to collect in globules or clots Application filed January 14, 1926. Serial No. 81,316.

on portions of foilage of trees, leaving many portions of such leaves or foilage uncovered. Owing to the remarkable creeping or spreading quality of the partial oxidation product. above described, we have formly and widely than can be attained either by dusting or any other spreading system such as an emulsion. This spreading 4 or creeping property of the intermediate oxidation products can also be utilized in carrying toxic agents such as nicotine sulphate to all parts of an infested tree.

We may also, when desirable, combine with such intermediate oxidation products those oils or those coal tar hydrocarbons or derivatives which possess in themselves insecticide and fungicide qualities, and employ these products together in a mixture to combine the toxic effects with the remarkable spreading properties above referred to.

We will now give some specific examples of our mixtures.

A Bordeaux mixture consisting of 4 lbs. of coppersulphate and 4 lbs. of hydrated lime, mixed up with gallons of water, when left to stand quiescent will settle out so that the copper hydroxide precipitates fall to the bottom, separating from the water. If, however, we add to the above mixture 4% of emulsified intermediate oxidation productsfabove re- 7 ous ingredients over the surface of the leaves,

instead of covering only a few spots with concentrated material. Due to this spreading action, the killing power of the Bordeaux mixture is greatly increased. This is due not only to the greater surface covered but to the added toxic effect of the intermediate oxidation products themselves.

The same general effect is produced with other solid contact insecticides such as lead arsenate, calcium arsenate, magnesium arsenate, dry lime sulphur compounds, etc. Such materials will settle out in water suspension and when spread on foliage the material tends to collect in globules and spots. If, however, to the same water suspension is added preferably from two to four per cent by volume of the intermediate oxidation products, either in the emulsified form or in the ordinary form, the spreading effect is produced, which gives great increase in contact area and consequent increase in killing efliciency of the insecticide material. To this is also added the insecticidal qualities of the intermediate oxidation products themselves.

Even when toxic materials such as nicotine and nicotine sulphate solutions which are soluble in water are employed, the addition of the intermediate oxidation products in emulsified form greatly improves the spreading of the mixture and causes the nicotine to more thoroughly wet and cover the surface of the leaves, thus giving greater contact and greater efliciency to the nicotine as well as increasing the toxic and killing action of the mixture. In other words, the alkaloid is activated.

The advantages of our invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art, since the effect of insecticide and fungicide mixtures is greatly increased and enhanced by the double functioning of the partial oxidation products in the mixture.

The particular insecticide and fungicide mixtures may be widely varied, the proportions may be changed, the partial oxidation products may or may not be emulsified, and many other changes may be made without departing from our invention.

By the term nicotine in any of our claims, we intend to cover either nicotine or any compound thereof, such as nicotine sulphate.

We claim:

1. An emulsificable liquid insecticide and fungicide composition containing a toxic oily liquid comprising partially oxidized hydrocarbons of the aliphatic type in the range from alcohols to organic acids, and a toxic material having insecticidal or fungicidal properties capable of admixture therewith, the partially oxidized hydrocarbons being sufiicient in quantity to spread the mixture in use.

2. An insecticide and fungicide composition containing a material percentage of toxic partially oxidized hydrocarbons of the aliphatic type in the range from alcohols to organic acids, combined with nicotine.

3. A fungicide and insecticide comprising a partial oxidation product of an aliphatic type hydrocarbon thru the range of alcohols to organic acids and a toxic solid inorganic material having insecticidal or fungicidal properties which is capable of having its killing efficiency and spreading characteristics increased by the partial oxidation product.

4. A11insecticideandfungicidecomposition containing a material percentage of a toxic partial oxldation product of an aliphatic type hydrocarbon thru the range of alcohols and organic acids and a toxic material having insecticidal or fungicidal properties and capable of being spread in admixture therewith and have its killing efliciency increased.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

KARL H. FULTON. MARCUS T. 1NMAN,JR. 

